Flanagan Has Surgery To Stop Bleeding Ulcer

Flanagan, 60, was admitted to Memorial Hospital in Hollywood on Friday because the ulcer would not stop bleeding. He had been released from the hospital for the same problem 10 days earlier.

Flanagan`s condition was unknown because family members asked hospital officials to withhold information.

In general, it is unusual to use surgery to control a bleeding ulcer, said Dr. David D`Allesandro, a general surgeon from Lighthouse Point. D`Allesandro had no specific knowledge of Flanagan`s case and was commenting in general terms about bleeding ulcers.

In most cases, bleeding ulcers can be controlled with drugs that limit the production of stomach acids. In more severe cases, specialists can use a small scope to destroy dead tissue and control the bleeding, D`Allesandro said.

Surgery is used as a last resort.

``This kind of situation is a surgical emergency,`` D`Allesandro said. ``There is greater danger in not operating than operating.``

If the patient is very sick, the surgeon will likely suture the blood vessel to stop the bleeding and eliminate acid production in the stomach.

An ulcer -- an irritation or hole in the lining of the stomach -- is caused by an overproduction of stomach acid.

Ulcers can bleed when a person has certain bone marrow or blood disorders or overuses aspirin, D`Allesandro said. Ulcers can also start bleeding when a person consumes caffeine, alcohol or nicotine, he said. Those substances are potent acid stimulators.

If uncontrolled, bleeding ulcers can be life-threatening because of blood loss.

Flanagan is expected to return home in a few days, City Manager Charles Dodge said.

In general, most people recover from this type of surgery within four to six weeks, D`Allesandro said. Recovery is helped by avoiding stress or consuming anything that will increase production of stomach acid.

Despite rumors that Flanagan might quit his job as mayor, Commissioner Alex Fekete said on Wednesday, ``He`s absolutely not (resigning.)``